By Ray Hickson
| Race 1 - 12:35PM MIDWAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES) |
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3. Oui Oui Oui has the score on the board and looks well suited going to this distance off a perfect gate after her strong win at 1200m two weeks back. While she found a great spot off a tricky draw she still took a few strides to get going when the gap appears so the rise in journey is a plus. Should take beating again.
Dangers: 10. Kyeema is back to Midway grade after a narrow defeat at Kensington earlier in the month where he went for home on the turn and was grabbed in the last stride. Fitter for that and all three career wins at this trip so he’s a good chance. 9. Danish Prince showed he’s come back well winning first-up for the first time in his career when successful at Newcastle. Third horse has since won. Nicely drawn and he’ll be around the mark again. 8. Apache Breeze comes through the same race as Oui Oui Oui, finishing off nicely from last to claim third. May be able to settle a little closer here and he’s an each-way chance.
How to play it: Oui Oui Oui WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).
| Race 2 - 1:10PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES) |
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10. Cougars was also fresh over the short trip in that Highway and he also worked home like a horse looking for more ground. He’s been placed in all three second-up attempts and has a 4kg drop after the claim. Each-way claims.
Dangers: 4. Fingers Hunter comes right back in class for the first time since winning a Class 3 back in March. Nice trial, soft draw and while her best has been over slightly further she has to be kept safe. 8. Joiselle attacked the line strongly late over the 1000m two weeks ago. She was coming back from a placing at Tamworth over the 1200m. 14. Lady Olenna ran fifth in that 1000m Highway and was perhaps a shade disappointing given the run she had from the inside gate. Entitled to another chance.
How to play it: Cougars EACH-WAY ($12 TAB Fixed Odds).
| Race 3 - 1:45PM SPELLING AT COOLMORE MT WHITE HANDICAP (1100 METRES) |
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8. Tigroni did a super job on debut a month ago, tracking wide and still being game enough to loom up before the effort told. Sure to be better for that experience, change of track gives him a good shot at finding a better run in transit. Like to see how he goes when he gets the chance to finish off.
Dangers: 10. By Choice showed slick speed in finding the front in her latest trial and she then scooted right away in the run home. A little wary she may have to do a bit of work here on debut but have to respect. 6. Masvingo wasn’t able to go with them in the Wyong Magic Millions first-up since placing in the Gimcrack. Held third okay and worth giving her the benefit of the doubt, she’ll get all the favours from the inside gate. 2. Half Pipe is showing some ability at the trials and did the job nicely when winning at Kensington last week. Keep an eye on the market for some confidence.
How to play it: Tigroni WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
| Race 4 - 2:20PM RACING AND SPORTS HANDICAP (1600 METRES) |
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This might be the day for 6. Just Party who backs up after a closing fourth over 1400m last week. While he didn’t quite pick them up, nothing made any ground on him from behind and he did get very close behind Know Thyself. Back in grade a notch, smaller field should leave him with no excuses and he’s clearly racing in good form. Has to be a big hope.
Dangers: 5. Sun God slips back from racing over further to the mile and he tried hard when runner-up over 1800m two weeks ago. Had his chance there but is racing well and putting himself in his races so is a logical threat. 3. Collect Your Cash disappointed second-up at Randwick after resuming with a strong Kembla Grange win. He hasn’t won second-up so he’s capable of bouncing back in a race that should allow him to be closer to the speed. 4. Grebeni and 2. Mare Of Mt Buller are both capable on their best form but do need to regain it on their latest mixed efforts.
How to play it: Just Party WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds)
| Race 5 - 2:55PM PETALUMA HANDICAP (1100 METRES) |
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12. Ice Kool is one of the more interesting runners on the day, he was favourite on debut at Warwick Farm and smashed them over the 1000m earlier this month. Did it with 59kg and couldn’t have been more impressive. Quick jump in grade but you know where he’ll be, up on speed, and he’s struck a race where he could measure up.
Dangers: 2. Columbia Blue is an up and comer from the Pride stable who had a nice run and prevailed at Canterbury second-up, jumping from a Class 1 provincial win fresh. Needs a similarly good ride but he has to be included. 9. Big Red Tequila hit the line with plenty of purpose in scoring a soft first-up win at Kembla Grange. Lightly raced like her stablemate and if they overdo it up front she could swoop. 3. Petticoat is out of Highway company and she did it with ease over the 1000m at Randwick in early November. Nice test for her, she’ll put herself right up on the speed and while yet to win above 1000m she’s promising enough to respect. 11. Southern Heiress is worth a look fresh, won her first two starts in handy style and back from stakes grade.
How to play it: Ice Kool WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds).
| Race 6 - 3:30PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1600 METRES) |
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11. Charleroi had excuses when supported at odds second-up two weeks ago and his effort was a sign of a win being close. Blew the start then had his momentum stopped in the straight but was still able to pick himself up and get within a few lengths of the winner. Up to the mile suits, can race handier and should be more than competitive.
Dangers: 4. Sly Boots was solid when resuming in the same race, sat handy then hit a big flat spot before rallying to get into third place. Fitter for that, is generally pretty honest and if he’s not already looking for further is a threat. 7. Hurstville Zagreb has been a little disappointing since winning at Warwick Farm in October but comes back to the mile with a gear change. His best is good enough to have him in the finish. 6. Sounds Unusual resumed in a strong form race and ran well at a trip below his best. May need one more but no surprise to see him improve up to the mile.
How to play it: Charleroi WIN ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
| Race 7 - 4:05PM THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP (1200 METRES) |
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Early market says this is a lottery. 1. Wooloowin took on a couple of Group races to start last preparation before placing in this grade third-up. So kicking off back in class is a plus and she did work home okay in her latest trial. Expect she’ll be running on late and on her best is a good each-way hope at odds.
Dangers: 6. Rubi’s Serve has been freshened up since chasing home Hyperbolic over 1400m a month ago. Nothing wrong with the form around her, she’s back to 1200m but has the blinkers on. Couldn’t leave her out. 9. Brutalina is something of a market watch first-up since July. Won three of her last five with two in country Victoria and one at Caulfield. Fitter for two trials and drawn well so has her chance to feature. 14. Infusion only had two starts in her first prep and they were on heavy tracks for a win and a close third. No fault in her trials and while drawn out she goes forward and can keep her safe.
How to play it: Wooloowin EACH-WAY ($19 TAB Fixed Odds).
| Race 8 - 4:45PM SPORTING CHANCE CANCER FOUNDATION HANDICAP (1200 METRES) |
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Happy enough to give 2. Snack Bar one more chance, not sure how he didn’t win second-up two weeks back. Loomed into it like he’d dash away, hit the front then somehow the winner came from behind him to nab him on the line. Perhaps it comes down to timing the run. He’s peaking now third-up, drawn to get every chance again. Leap of faith but he’s capable of winning.
Dangers: 6. Livin’ Thing did quite a good job first-up at Warwick Farm when narrowly beaten. Just had to give up some momentum to get across some heels but he tried hard once clear. Fitter and gets every chance to improve on it. 3. Althoff stamped himself a coming winner with a slashing third in the same race as Snack Bar. Would be more comfortable with him at 1400m but he’ll be hard to hold out again. 7. Stardeel enjoyed a good prep last time in and it wound up with an easy all the way heavy track win in August. Trialling well enough, lightly raced and consistent so far. Probably improves on whatever he does here but that doesn’t mean he can’t make his presence felt.
How to play it: Snack Bar WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds).
| Race 9 - 5:20PM TAB HANDICAP (2000 METRES) |
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15. Inquiring Minds proved he’s not just a wet tracker when running into third behind Pocketing last time out. Was strong late so the extra 200m is a plus and if he can repeat the effort he’s right among the chances each-way.
Dangers: 14. Rotagilla steps up to this trip after a fair fourth in the same race, with the third horse running past him late. Same weight, draws the one so gets every chance. Perhaps he’s looking for the distance now. Must include him. 2. Newfoundland is a market watch first-up since March. Runner-up in the Adelaide Cup so this trip suits fresh. Trials fair enough but probably not a guide to this distance range fresh. Keep safe. 11. Unlimited has been a bit disappointing though tends to concede a start at times which doesn't help his cause. Ran on into fifth last time behind Pocketing and has a show.
How to play it: Inquiring Minds EACH-WAY ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds).
| Race 10 - 5:55PM CATANACH'S JEWELLERS HANDICAP (1400 METRES) |
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2. Bartolf has some good form around him through Tuned and is a logical danger after being saved from last week’s meeting for this. Not concerned about the wide gate, he’ll need a back to follow but he’ll also be suited if they’re sweeping down the middle. Good chance.
Dangers: 11. Duvana had his first run for Nathan Doyle and ran right up to some good support when charging home to win at Newcastle. The extra trip holds no fears, right down in the weights and is well worth keeping safe. 6. Applaud also brings the Tuned form line here and he backed up his first-up win with a sound third at Rosehill behind that horse earlier this month. Sure to run well again. 3. Bojangles is racing consistently without winning, this is no harder than last time and has each-way claims.
How to play it: Bartolf WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Randwick